This structure called Expo Hall, or "Shining Hat", creates a stunning optical illusion in the sky. The top of the structure makes it look like a giant portal has opened in the atmosphere. Its defining feature is a vast, reflective golden underside that makes the roof appear to dissolve into the sky from certain viewpoints.
The structure was designed by Toyo Ito for Expo 2025 Osaka and blends futurism and spirituality. The photos of the piece are completely captivating. I'm sure seeing this in real life on a clear day is an unforgettable sight.
From Instagram:
The project also quietly echoes Expo 1970 Osaka, particularly the contrast with the iconic Tower of the Sun by Tarō Okamoto, which famously emerged through the massive roof structure designed by Kenzo Tange. Inside Shining Hat, the dramatic exterior gives way to a softer interior of white draped fabric, creating a deliberate transition from spectacle to calm – balancing futuristic visual impact with a more meditative, almost spiritual atmosphere.
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